The White House this afternoon would not explain why a Parkinson specialist met with President Biden's

Stalker.

The lead starts right now.

A shouting match inside the White House briefing room just

moments ago as the press secretary faced blistering questions over President

Biden's health. This as President Biden hits back at critics in a letter to Congressional Democrats,

some of the very voices calling for the president to step aside in the 2024 race.

I'm going to be joined by one of those House Democrats in just moments. Plus, barrels bashing from the Texas

coast to major cities such as Houston, the one-time hurricane roars ashore with

deadly consequences and now millions are without power and the flood threat

is far from over.

And political paralysis in France, an abrupt turn to the far left after the country

seemed to be headed to the far right but

the election surprise still leaves major questions as to who is going to lead this

country. We'll explain to you what's really going on. Welcome to the lead.

I'm Jake Tapper and we start today with our 2024 lead where what can be called

Operation Defiance appears to be in overdrive.

How effective Operation Defiance will prove to be is an altogether different question.

Earlier today President Biden called into one of his favorite TV shows, Morning Joe on MSNBC, and he railed against what he called the elites.

I'm getting so frustrated by the elites. Now I'm not talking about you guys, but about the elites in the party who they know so much more.

President Biden seems to be trying to frame what's going on right now as the average voters who want him versus the elites of the

Democratic Party, donors and lawmakers and opinion makers, many of whom have serious concerns

...